Act now: Accelerate the East Coast Greenway for safer communities

• Contact U.S. DOT in support of the Greenway and safer communities

The East Coast Greenway is a project of national significance: an in-development 3,000-mile walking and biking corridor stretching from Maine to Florida. Completing the East Coast Greenway will deliver enormous safety, mobility and economic benefits across urban and rural areas throughout 15 states and 450 communities. Federal investment is essential to accelerate the completion of this transformative active transportation project. 

Soon, Congress will be drafting a federal surface transportation bill with the U.S. Department of Transportation playing a valuable role in the process. Currently, the DOT is soliciting “ideas, comments and information for consideration in the development of the next surface transportation authorizing legislation” before Sept. 8.

The East Coast Greenway Alliance has responded to this request outlining support for the proposals below, which support development of the Greenway, while also improving roadway safety and local access to essential infrastructure.

We encourage others to do the same before the Sept. 8, deadline. Additional information, as well as instructions for submission, can be found here.

Sarah Debbink Langenkamp Active Transportation Safety Act (HR 2011)

• Agency: FHWA
• Legislative Language: HR 2011 / S 944

America faces a roadway safety crisis, with pedestrian and cyclist deaths at near-record highs. This bill allows states to use Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) funds as a local match for Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) projects — an important flexibility that will unlock critical safety projects in small and rural communities in particular. 

Why it matters for the East Coast Greenway: Many East Coast Greenway segments pass through rural and suburban areas where local governments struggle to meet match requirements. This bill will help close safety gaps and build out the Greenway with essential federal support. We also support additional efforts to ease local match requirements, but do not support any changes that reduce TAP funding for local governments. The East Coast Greenway supports the continued growth of the Transportation Alternatives program, including the improvement offered by the Langenkamp bill.

Safe Streets and Roads for All (SSFA)

• Agency: FHWA

The SSFA program has delivered widespread safety planning benefits, with over 75% of the U.S. population covered by one of 1,600 planning grants. Now, localities need direct funding to implement safety improvements identified in their plans.

Proposal:

• Grow HSIP by $2 billion annually and set that amount aside — before apportionment — for projects prioritized in local Safety Action Plans.

• Distribute these funds directly to MPOs and rural planning organizations.

• Allow local entities, including cities and counties, to manage project delivery or hire contractors to execute improvements.

Why it matters for the East Coast Greenway: The East Coast Greenway includes hundreds of communities with completed or forthcoming safety action plans. This approach would empower communities to directly fund shovel-ready safety improvements along the Greenway.

We also recommend:

• Designating local safety experts within FHWA to assist SSFA grantees.

• Launching a pilot program for direct aid and contract authority to cities along corridors of national significance like the East Coast Greenway.

Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program (ATIIP)

• Agency: FHWA

The ATIIP program is designed to fund critical walking and biking networks. With 351 applications requesting $1.8 billion in funding—and only $44.5 million available—demand far outpaces supply.

Proposal:

• Authorize ATIIP as a permanent FHWA program within the Highway Trust Fund and fund annually at $500M per year. .

Why it matters for the East Coast Greenway: As the nation’s premier active transportation spine, the East Coast Greenway is shovel-ready and broadly supported by communities along its route. Federal investment through ATIIP is a clear and direct way to accelerate Greenway completion, ensuring safe, connected networks from city centers to rural regions.

The East Coast Greenway represents one of the most ambitious and impactful active transportation investments our nation can make. These proposals provide a blueprint for federal partnership to make the Greenway a fully realized national asset — promoting health, safety and economic development across hundreds of communities.

By investing in the East Coast Greenway through upcoming federal transportation legislation, Congress and the DOT can help create safer streets, strengthen local economies and connect millions of people to healthy, sustainable transportation options. This is a rare opportunity to advance a project that will benefit communities for generations to come.